At the end of its uneven 7-5 regular-season campaign, Kentucky will look for 1 more shot at redemption in a 2nd consecutive bowl tilt with the Iowa Hawkeyes. In what figures to be an offensively challenged game, 2 of BCS football’s most mediocre offenses will be rammed into the teeth of 2 tenacious defenses. But aside from late-season redemption and extending a BCS-leading 20-game nonconference winning streak, Kentucky has plenty on the line in Saturday’s Music City Bowl. Here are 5 storylines to watch … and a game prediction.

1. The quarterback situation

With future NFL signal-caller Will Levis opting out of the game, Kentucky’s quarterback situation is very unclear. With North Carolina State transfer Devin Leary on board for 2023, the Wildcats will likely use the Music City Bowl to test their quarterback depth. Whispers around the program have suggested that true freshman Destin Wade will likely see extended action in the bowl. Reserve Kaiya Sheron might also see snaps in inverse extended action since Kentucky’s loss to South Carolina. In any case, UK’s offense under Wade and/or Sheron will likely look very different than it did under Levis.

2. The running back situation

With senior Chris Rodriguez Jr. also opting out and Kavosiey Smoke in the transfer portal, Kentucky will likely lean on junior Jutahn McClain in the downs game. McClain has been favored as a receiving option out of the backfield, and he could contribute in the passing game as well as with his running. Kentucky might also give freshman La’Vell Wright an extended shot at further playing time. Not unlike the quarterback situation, Vandy transfer Ray Davis will likely carry the load next season for the Wildcats. But it will be interesting to see if McClain or Wright makes a strong bid to share time with a bowl performance.

3. Receiver depth

With freshman standouts Dane Key and Barion Brown slated to be back and senior Tayvion Robinson also leaning toward returning, Kentucky’s wide receiver corps seems set for the near future. However, with several returnees opting to enter the transfer portal, its remaining receivers might have a put-up-or-shut-up type of moment in the bowl. Freshman Dekel Crowdus is 1 pass target who has shown flashes of big-play ability, and track standout Jordan Anthony has the speed to contribute for the Wildcats. But if they (and others at the position) don’t turn potential into results, those 2 and other teammates might be buried on the depth chart.

4. Offensive line woes

Kentucky’s offensive line has been absolutely offensive in 2022. Between subjecting Levis to weekly beatdowns and failing to provide consistent lanes for the ground attack, the group that was once known as the Big Blue Wall has looked more like the Big Blue What. It’s fair to wonder how many of those issues originated with now-departed offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello. This could be an addition by subtraction situation. In any case, the Big Blue Nation will be seriously hoping for improvement up front.

5. Can the defense be dynamic?

Kentucky’s defense was its strong suit in the regular season. However, standout  cornerback Carrington Valentine has opted out for the bowl, and veteran linebacker DeAndre Square will miss the game with a minor injury. The defense was consistently solid even against top-flight offenses. Against an Iowa team that was horrific with the football, the question may be whether the Wildcats can make enough big plays and force enough turnovers to protect their own meager offense. If there was ever a bowl game where betting the under seems justified, surely this is it.

And a prediction …

Kentucky’s offense spent most of this season under a dark cloud. That said, going to 3rd-string quarterback and running backs isn’t a quick way to jump-start things. With Iowa similarly down a bunch of skill personnel, this seems like a game to be decided by the defenses. The number of punts might climb higher than the number of points … but again, unlike most teams that Iowa plays, Kentucky is not only used to that style, but kind of favors it.  Mark Stoops and Kirk Ferentz both love winning slugfests, but the guess here is that a Brown return is the key play and allows Kentucky to post a 13-10 victory.